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JANUARY 2011

Jan. 4-16 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Parade Jackson, Miss. 601-960-1891 kshannon@visitjackson.com www.visitjackson.com Parade features bands from across the country as well as the famous Jackson State Sonic Boom of the South, motorcycle groups and ATVs. Second largest parade in U.S. that honors Martin Luther King, Jr.

Jan. 7-8 53rd Annual Louisiana Fur and Wildlife Festival Cameron, La. 800-456-7952 smanuel@visitlakecharles.org www.visitlakecharles.org Local natural industries are celebrated during the area's coldest and oldest fest. Experience the area with exhibits, trap setting contests, muskrat skinning, oyster shucking and dog trials.

Jan. 7-11 The Rock's Auto Extravaganza Little Rock, Ark. 501-370-3201 cdolan@littlerock.com cruisinlittlerock.com/extravaganza.aspx Displaying prestigious vehicles from across the land, this show serves as an indoor hot spot of everything automotive, including marquee cars, high street rods, muscle cars, motorcycles and more. Spotlights the "trick chick boulevard."

Jan. 13-22 The Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival Tampa, Fla. 888-224-1733 info@tampablackheritage.org www.tampablackheritage.org Ten-day cultural occasion observing diversity and cultural sensitivity. Take part in the Heritage Golf Classic, family-friendly events and eclectic entertainment.

Jan. 14-17 Dream 365 MLK Celebration Columbus, Miss. 662-425-1234 dream365@dacollc.com Large Mississippi commemoration bringing together lives to honor the life of MLK Jr. Meaningful event connected to the struggle and progress of justice for all.

Jan. 21-29 The Augusta Futurity Augusta, Ga. 706-823-3362 noell.inman@augustafuturity.com www.augustafuturity.com The Futurity is a western event flavored with Southern hospitality! With a purse of over $1 million, this is the largest and richest cutting horse event east of the Mississippi River.

Jan. 22 Children's Gasparilla Extravaganza Tampa, Fla. 813-251-3378 office@eventfest.com www.gasparillaextravaganza.com This pirate themed alcohol-free family celebration spotlights one of the largest "piratechnic" displays with an afternoon of family activities and food.

Jan. 26-31 14th Annual Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Titusville, Fla. 321-268-5224 festival@brevardnaturealliance.org spacecoastbirdingandwildlifefestival.org Explore world-renowned natural areas of Florida's Space Coast, home of various wildlife and plants. Kayak, canoe, boat and compete. Chat with national authorities on birds, plants, photography.

Jan. 29 Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest Tampa, Fla. 813-251-3378 office@eventfest.com www.gasparillapiratefest.com Hundreds of colorfully costumed pirates "sail" into downtown Tampa on their pirate ship - the Jose Gasparilla. The Captain captures the city and shares his wealth of trinkets and doubloons with the enthusiastic crowd.

Jan. 30 Oyster Festival Charleston, S.C. 843-805-3074 kchapman@explorecharleston.com www.charlestoncvb.com More than 65,000 lbs. of yummy oysters are consumed during this one-day event. All volunteer staff pulls off this amazing feat.

FEBRUARY 2011

Feb. 1-28 15th Annual Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration Hilton Head Island, S.C. 843-689-9314 nibcaa@aol.com www.gullahcelebration.com Celebrate the culture of the Gullah people. This features native historians, storytellers, sweet grass basket sewers, chefs, musicians, artisans and culminates with the popular Marsh Tacky Horse Run.

Feb. 5-6 ArtFest Fort Myers Fort Myers, Fla. 239-768-3602 info@artfestfortmyers.com www.artfestfortmyers.com More than 200 artists gather from across the land to dazzle, inspire and delight the entire family. Engage the kiddos with free creative projects and art demonstrations. Free to the public.

Feb. 11-13 Dogwood Arts House & Garden Show Knoxville, Tenn. 865-637-4561 amcbee@dogwoodarts.com www.dogwoodarts.com/house_garden.html From fencing to flooring, lighting to landscaping - it is the place for consumers to discover the latest design trends. This year will highlight garden areas. Support the Knox County schools through this event.

Feb. 17-19 Georgia National Rodeo Perry, Ga. 478-987-3247 kimkeuper@gnfa.com www.gnfa.com So much abounds here: saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, calf roping, barrel racing and more. Watch as the riders compete for the National Finals Rodeo.

Feb. 18-20 147th Anniversary Reenactment of the Battle of Olustee Olustee, Fla. 877-635-3655 elaine.mcgrath@dep.state.fl.us battleofolustee.org Just in time for the Civil War Sesquicentennial, this event commemorates the site of Florida's largest battle. 2,000 reenactors take part in this gala. See where the film "Glory" was shot.

Feb. 19 Casanova Hunt Point to Point Races Gainesville, Va. 540-347-2612 This season opener takes place in the heart of Virginia Hunt country. Eight races featuring jumping over hurtles, timber and on the flat as the rider shows their agility.

Feb. 19-Mar. 8 "Carnival on the Coast" - Mardi Gras - Mississippi Gulf Coast Style! Mississippi Gulf Coast, Miss. 888-467-4853 tourism@gulfcoast.org www.gulfcoast.org Elaborately decorated floats throw "treasures" to eager bystanders. Twenty-three family-friendly parades filled with music and food.

Feb. 19-Mar. 8 Bayou Lafourche Mardi Gras Lafourche Parish, La. 877-537-5800 info@visitlafourche.com www.visitlafourche.com Hailed as the greatest free show on the Bayou. Partake in the picnics, BBQs and seafood boils before the floats hit the streets. All parades are free!

Feb. 24-27 11th Annual Saddle Up! Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 800-251-9100 inquire@mypigeonforge.com www.mypigeonforge.com A party of the American West with concerts of poetry and Western music, chuckwagon cook-off, swing dances, Cowboy church and more.

Feb. 27- Apr. 2 Actors Theatre of Louisville Humana Festival of New American Plays Louisville, Ky. 502-584-1205 groupsales@actorstheatre.org www.actorstheatre.org Theatre lovers from around the world converge to get the first look at the future of the American theatre. More than 400 plays have been produced, representing the work of more than 200 playwrights.

MARCH 2011

Mar. 3-5 74th Annual Sanibel Shell Fair & Show Sanibel Island, Fla. 239-472-2155 info@sanibelcommunityhouse.net www.sanibelcommunityhouse.net Sanibel Island has been named the best shelling beach in the U.S. Now enjoying its 74th festival featuring competitions, crafts and displays.

Mar. 3-13 Florida Strawberry Festival Plant City, Fla. 813-752-9194 berrypr@flstrawberryfestival.com www.flstrawberryfestival.com A perennial favorite. The strawberry is indeed king where it will tickle your taste buds while delighting the senses. This worthy gala donates to the local YMCA and FFA.

Mar.  4-6 Azalea Storytelling Festival LaGrange, Ga. 706-882-9909 lafayettesociety@bellsouth.net www.lagrange.edu/azalea From Friday through Sunday morning, audiences and tellers share a journey with laughter, recognition and the occasional lump-in-the-throat tales.

Mar.  5-6 Gulf Coast Renaissance Fair Pensacola, Fla. 877-429-8462 gcrenfaire@aol.com www.gcrf.net Go back to yesteryear with this marvelous rendition! Dancers, musicians, sword swallowers, fire breathers and more. The only real live jousting on horseback with medieval knights on the Gulf coast.

Mar. 7-12 Hilton Head International Piano Competition Hilton Head Island, S.C. 843-842-2055 pianocomp@hhipc.org www.hhipc.org Leave the rock n' roll at home and enjoy some real music! Talented young artists from across the globe go head-to-head in this ever fierce competition.

Mar. 11-13 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Amelia Island, Fla. 904-636-0027 publicrelations@ameliaconcours.org www.ameliaconcours.org This three-day event encompasses road rallies, auctions, seminars and a gala dinner. The Amelia has become one of the top automotive expositions in America. Featured marquee will be a Duesenberg.

Mar. 11-13 Blue Grass Trust Antiques and Garden Show Lexington, Ky. 859-253-0362 jgood@bluegrasstrust.org bgtantiquesandgardenshow.org Sixty exhibitors highlight their wares at this annual event. Proceeds benefit historic places of central Kentucky.

Mar. 12 5th Annual Grillin' on the Green Spring Fling Mississippi Gulf Coast, Miss. 228-435-6339 kmiller@biloxi.ms.us www.mainstreetbiloxi.com Twenty-two teams competed last year, serving ribs, brisket, grilled oysters… something to please every pallet.

Mar. 12-13 24th Annual Forsythia Festival Forsyth, Ga.  888-642-4628 karen@forsyth-monroechamber.com www.forsythiafestival.com This fest incorporates a community fashion show, a 36-inch pizza, a theater musical review and a golf tourney. Saturday night brings out FaithFest.

Mar. 12-13 Shamrock City at Rock City Lookout Mountain, Ga. 706-820-2531 meagan@rockruby.com www.seerockcity.com Looking for the luck of the Irish? Look at Rock City's fantastic Irish celebration of music, food and entertainment. Watch as our waterfall turns green!

Mar. 18-20 Cape Fear Wildlife Expo Wilmington, N.C. 843-902-6532 wc@capefearwildlifeexpo.com www.capefearwildlifeexpo.com Any outdoor enthusiast would call this place paradise. The lil' tykes can mine for gem stones and explore the Sensory Safari. New fishing seminars have been added in '11.

Mar. 18-20 Virginia Beach Spring Craft Market Virginia Beach, Va. 757-417-7771 info@emgshows.com www.emgshows.com See skilled hands create a myriad of wonderful crafts. Wood turners, pottery, smockers, quilters, knitters are all in the offing in the quarter-century Virginia tradition.

Mar. 17 First Ever Eighth Annual World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade Hot Springs National Park, Ark. 501-321-2027 cegleston@hotsprings.org The luck of the Irish will be with you if you attend this green event. The world's shortest St. Patrick's Day parade is always great fun for everyone. You'll be surprised and delighted by the Grand Marshall!

Mar. 17-19 Patchwork Tales Storytelling Festival Rock Hill, S.C. 803-981-5840 dianejjj@hotmail.com www.patchworktales.org Enjoy tale tellin' at its best. This three-day variety features concerts by nationally known storytellers, award winning musicians and David Holt. Take part in the Ghostly Gallery, a special concert of scary tales for teens and their parents.

Mar. 18-27 International Cherry Blossom Festival Macon, Ga. 478-751-7429 scampbell@cherryblossom.com www.cherryblossom.com A ten-day show that celebrates all things Cherry Blossom.  Parades, concerts, features, rides, dances, crafts and more all highlight the pink themed event.

Mar. 19-20 Wilmington Woman's Club 32nd Annual Coastal Living Showcase Wilmington, N.C. 910-509-9672 www.wilmingtonwomansclub.com Jump start spring in a most fashionable way. Learn about rain barrel technology, sun roofs and perfecting plans in our southeast weather. All proceeds are funneled back to southeast communities.

Mar. 24-27 Ozark Foothills FilmFest, Batesville, Ark. 870-251-1189 ozarkfilm@wildblue.net www.ozarkfoothillsfilmfest.org Pass the popcorn as you take in this 10th anniversary FilmFest. You don't want to miss the Alloy Orchestra performing new scores accompanying the German classic, Metropolis.

Mar. 24-27 The Festival of Flowers Mobile, Ala. 251-639-2050 hchilders@providencehospital.org www.festivalofflowers.org More than 300,000 sq. feet of exhibits enchant, entertain and educate the visitors at this feast for all of the senses.

Mar. 26-27 Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival Conyers, Ga. 770-860-4190 rebecca.hill@conyersga.com conyerscherryblossomfest.com A two-day wonder hosting contemporary arts and crafts with 300 exhibitors representing artists from across the southeast. Two stages of live entertainment fill the air while you enjoy the shopping, rides, games, activities and international food.

Mar. 28-Apr. 9 Annual Spring Pilgrimage Columbus, Miss. 800-920-3533 nancy@columbus-ms.org www.columbus-ms.org Spring explodes at this award-winning Pilgrimage. Homeowners are delighted to show visitors priceless family heirlooms as well as share colorful stories. Stroll through the enchanting gardens, courtyards and antebellum structures.

Southeast Tourism Society
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404.364.9847 e-mail: top20@southeasttourism.org

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